: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign territory
ethnic enclaves
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Enclave comes from French enclaver, meaning "to enclose," which itself is based on the Latin noun clavis, meaning "key." Clavis opened the door to a few other English words, some of which might seem unlikely relatives of enclave. For example, clavicle, the word for the bone that joins the breastbone and the shoulder blade, and the musical sign clef.
Examples of enclave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Our unnamed narrator has decided, for reasons unstated, to dwell in a small enclave of nuns on the arid plains of Australia.
—
The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Palestinian enclave's health ministry, as cited by the Associated Press.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Aggie Wiggs, a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, is living in a home that is far too big for her in Oyster Bay, a wealthy enclave on Long Island.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
More than 70,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the ensuing conflict, according to health authorities in the enclave.
—Olivia Le Poidevin, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enclave
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The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Palestinian enclave's health ministry, as cited by the Associated Press.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Aggie Wiggs, a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, is living in a home that is far too big for her in Oyster Bay, a wealthy enclave on Long Island.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
More than 70,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the ensuing conflict, according to health authorities in the enclave.
—Olivia Le Poidevin, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enclave
Cite this Entry
“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
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Medical Definition
enclave
noun
en·clave
ˈen-ˌklāv; ˈän-ˌklāv 
ˈäŋ-
ˈäŋ-
-ˌkläv
: something enclosed in an organ or tissue but not a continuous part of it
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